Shoplifting in Britain has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 1.2 million cases recorded by police since April 2019, according to data obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK.
The increase is particularly pronounced in 2023, with 344,709 offenses recorded – a 30% increase on the previous year – marking a new 20-year high in England and Wales.
The cost of living has been cited as a major factor driving this increase, as economic pressures lead to higher theft rates across the country. Retailers such as the Co-op and John Lewis have reported record incidents of theft, often involving assault and violence against staff. These crimes have taken a financial toll, with losses from theft doubling this year to £1.8 billion and £1.2 billion spent on security measures, up from £950 million last year.
Despite the increase in the number of crimes, the number of prosecutions remains low. Retail leaders have accused the government of treating shoplifting as a low-priority crime, with a wide gap between reported incidents and legal consequences. The Times found that in many cases police have stopped pursuing charges, further emboldening offenders. The Metropolitan Police Service recorded the most cases of shoplifting among UK forces, with more than 215,000 offenses since 2019.
The increase in retail crime has increased the pressure on staff, as they are increasingly at risk of injury when confronted with shoplifters.
While retailers invest heavily in anti-theft measures, questions remain about whether government and law enforcement agencies will address the underlying problems contributing to this increase in shoplifting.